The Sacramento Kings center Maxime Raynaud (42) defends against the Indiana Pacers guard Benedict Mathurin (00) at Gainsbridge Fieldhouse Arena in Indianapolis on Mon Dec 8, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Jeremiah Salmonson:
#1 How will the Kings defend against Nuggets MVP Nikola Jokić, who’s averaging elite numbers this season?
#2 Can Sacramento’s backcourt — led by Russell Westbrook and Zach LaVine — keep pace with Denver’s high-scoring offense?
#3 With Domantas Sabonis sidelined (or limited), who steps up on the boards and in the paint for Sacramento?
#4 Will the Kings’ perimeter shooting Malik Monk, DeMar DeRozan be enough to overcome Denver’s defensive pressure?
#5 Which bench players could make a difference — can Sacramento’s role players like Maxime Raynaud or Keon Ellis swing momentum?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
The Sacramento Kings Malik Monk (0) drives on the Denver Nuggets Bruce Brown (right) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 The Sacramento Kings Russell Westbrook scored 15 of 21 points against the Denver Nuggets in the fourth quarter on Saturday in the Kings 128-123 win at Ball Arena in Denver.
#2 The Nuggets Nikola Jokic scored 44 points but in spite of that the Kings were pulled it off picking up their fourth win of the season.
#3 It was a big win for the Kings as they finally snapped their long eight game losing streaks.
#4 The Kings Dennis Schroder scored 21 points which was a huge contribution for the win. The Kings in their eight loses in a row had lost each of those games in double digits.
#5 Next up for the Minnesota Timberwolves have been playing .500 ball of late going 2-2 in their last four games. The last time the Kings met the Wolves back on Fri Nov 14 at the Target Center in Minneapolis the Timberwolves picked up the win 124-110. Tip for the Timberwolves and Kings at 7:00pm at Golden One Center.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings center Precious Achiuwa (left) defends against the Denver Nuggets Nikola Jokic (right) in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Sat Nov 22, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Sacramento Kings (4-3) beat the Denver Nuggets (12-4) 127-123 to end an eight-game losing streak. The Kings played a great fourth quarter holding off the Nuggets in the final seconds in a great finish for Sacramento.
Keegan Murray in his second game of the season after coming back from injury finished with 19 points and five rebounds. The high for the Kings was starter Russsell Westbrook with 21 points and six rebounds who lit up in the fourth quarter and Dennis Schroeder who also scored 21 points off the bench.
Game recap: The Kings and Nuggets played a close first half with the Nuggets taking the early lead outscoring the Kings 35-31 in the first quarter. Sacramento went on to outscore Denver in the second quarter in a close one 31-30.
Denver took a 65-61 lead into the locker room at the half and this was anyone’s game going into the third quarter. At the half Zach LaVine had scored 13 points and Keegan Murray was on the brink of double digits with nine points.
Less than two minutes into the third quarter the Kings called a timeout. The Nuggets scored a quick six points in the first two minutes taking a 71-64 lead prompting the stoppage. Sacramento had been able to hang around keeping the Nuggets on their toes but never taking the lead giving the Nuggets a slight upper hand.
The timeout didn’t do a lot for the Kings but the Nuggets went on a ten point run taking a 79-66 lead. With under four minutes left in the quarter the Kings had significantly trimmed the Nuggets lead only trailing by two points 81-79.
With under three minutes left on the clock this game was tied at 84. With 1:24 left in the third quarter the Kings took an 89-88 lead. After three quarters Nikola Jokic had scored 24 points but it was the Kings Dennis Schroeder who had scored 21 points off the bench that was keeping the Kings in this game.
Going into the fourth quarter the Nuggets held a slim 92-91 lead. At 7:23 the Kings took their largest lead of the game 107-101. With under six minutes left in the game the Kings continued to extend their lead 112-103.
With under a minute left in the game Sacramento was hanging onto a 123-117 lead. As the clock ran out the awful eight-game losing streak for the Kings had come to an end. The final was 128-123 for the Kings fourth win of the season.
Sacramento had a great finish in the latter minutes of the fourth quarter. They played well from every vantage, they only had seven turnovers and they shot 96% from the line only missing one free throw.
They had eight steals and the Nuggets conceded 20 points off their 13 turnovers. Despite Nikola Jokic scoring 44 points Sacramento’s game was well-rounded with Russell Westbrook and Dennis Schroeder shooting for 21 points apiece. Murray had a great game in his first as starter with 19 points and five rebounds.
Game notes: Saturday night the Kings finished up a road trip that yielded four straight road losses and coupled with four straight home losses the Kings is struggled with an eight game losing streak which ended on Saturday night in Denver.
Saturday night the Kings took on the Nuggets, the Kings were desperate for a win and were able to break the eight game losing streak against one of the winningest teams in the NBA Western Conference.
After losing to the Timberwolves, the Spurs the Thunder and the Grizzlies on the road Sacramento beat the Nuggets for the first time this season. The two teams met for a third time this season the Kings having lost their first two matchups.
The Nuggets are currently in second place in the Western Conference while the Kings are in 14th place in the conference. Sacramento has been greatly tested all season and Saturday night’s game was more of the same with the Kings passing a big test with the win.
The Kings will be without Domantas Sabonis for quite a few weeks due to a left knee partially torn meniscus but the good news for Sacramento is the return of Keegan Murray who played his first game this season last Thursday against the Grizzlies scoring 11 points off the bench. In Saturday night’s game Murray started for Sacramento.
The Kings will now head home to Sacramento; a trip that that is bound to be a much more pleasant ride after a great win Saturday night. They will take on the Minnesota Timberwolves Monday night at Golden 1 Arena.
They have met twice so far this season and the TImberwolves won both games. The Kings will be looking for yet another upset. They had a nicely balanced offense in Saturday night’s game and with Keegan Murray back on the court they played a much improved game Saturday night. Tip-off for Monday’s game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Sacramento Kings Domantas Sabonis will be out with a torn meniscus for three to four weeks. (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings questions Tony Harvey:
#1 With Domantas Sabonis reportedly sidelined for 3–4 weeks with a torn meniscus, how will the Kings replace his production in the paint, and who ( Jonas Valančiūnas or Precious Achiuwa) will step up?
#2 Can Malik Monk and Zach LaVine carry the offensive load and hit enough big shots to keep pace with Denver’s scoring?
#3 What role will Keegan Murray play on the wing, especially defensively, to help contain Denver’s versatility?
#4 How will the Kings’ backup big men (with Sabonis out) perform against Nikola Jokić, and will their rotation be able to mitigate his impact?
#5 Without Sabonis anchoring the defense, can DeMar DeRozan contribute on both ends (scoring + rebounding) to help Sacramento stay competitive?
Sacramento Kings guard DeMar DeRozan (10) takes the ball against the Memphis Grizzlies forward Cedric Coward (23) in the first half at the Fed Ex Arena in Memphis on Thu Nov 25, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
Thursday night the Sacramento Kings (3-13) met up with the Memphis Grizzlies (5-11) at FedExForum. The outcome was one of the worst games this team has played in a very long time.
The triumphant return of Keegan Murray was completely overshadowed by the final score of 137-96. The Kings conceded 30 points off the 17 turnovers they committed. Despite the Grizzlies being short-handed missing Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson and Ty Jerome Memphis handled the Kings with ease outscoring them in all four quarters.
The Kings have struggled mightily this season and between an unimaginable schedule, defensive woes along with a team that is just not falling into place they are in deep trouble. Thursday night the Kings thought what they got what might be a bit of a break as they lost to the Grizzlies who are contending with issues of their own.
In Thursday’s game the Grizzlies have Jaren Jackson, Ja Morant and Ty Jerome out which didn’t hurt them. The Kings also announced some bad news in the absence of Domantas Sabonis who is likely out for a significant time due to a left knee meniscus tear.
The injury was originally thought to be left knee soreness but further testing revealing the tear. He will more than likely be out deep into December and will not be re-evaluated for up to four weeks.
Sabonis has really been banged up so far this season and this recent injury just further sends the team into a very dark place. Thursday night the Kings who have lost eight consecutive games by double figures after losing to the Grizzlies.
The Kings failed to get on the winning track as they couldn’t defeat another struggling team in the Grizzlies. Memphis comes into this game after losing to the San Antonio Spurs Tuesday night 111-101.
Game recap: What revealed itself what an epic shocker. Sacramento had high hopes with the return of Keegan Murray who was cleared for Thursday night’s game. Could this be the reinforcement that the team needs, the player that will elevate the team?
Murray had missed the entire season, the first 15 games. As the first quarter got underway things went haywire from the get go. Sacramento has failed at times to generate much offense and this game was no different.
After the first 12 minutes of play Sacramento trailed by the score of 35-22. It was still early in the game but the second quarter was even worse with the Kings getting outscored by the Grizzlies 40-25 and trailing 75-47 at the half getting demolished by the short-handed Grizzlies. It was the stuff that nightmares are made of.
After three quarters the tally continued to blow-up for Memphis as they outscored the Kings 38-29 taking a 113-76 lead into the fourth quarter. It was an embarrassment of epic proportion. As the clock wore down on the fourth quarter the Grizzlies had won all four quarters.
They outscored the Kings in the final quarter 24-20; the final was 137-96. The Grizzlies had snapped their their five-game losing streak. Needless to say the Memphis Grizzlies were on fire taking full advantage of the absence of Sabonis inside. Zach Edey and Jock Landale worked the inside only missing one of their 13 shots taken in the first half. Edey finished with 16 points and Landale chipped in 13 points.
One can only imagine what the locker room looks like right now. So much is going so wrong for the Sacramento Kings. Zach LaVine had the team high with 26 points and was four of eight from downtown.
Keegan Murray in his return scored 11 points and was on the floor for 33 minutes. Maxime Raynaud had 12 points off the bench. The Kings conceded 30 points off their 17 turnovers. Where the team goes from here is anybody’s guess but drastic changes seem to be in order. Sacramento has now lost eight games in a row and where it goes from here remains to be seen.
Morale has to be at an all-time low as the Kings faced with yet another game this Saturday traveling to Denver for a matchup with Nikola Jokic and the Nuggets. It will take a lot to bounce back from this game but the team has no other choice. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Sacramento Kings guard Russell Westbrook (18) looks to pass the ball against the Denver Nuggets center Nikola Jokic (left) and guard Tim Hardaway Jr who defend in the first half at Ball Arena in Denver on Mon Nov 3, 2025 (AP News photo)
By Barbara Mason
The Sacramento Kings (2-5) hung around all night as they faced the Denver Nuggets (4-2). They got to within two points in the first half but were unable to take the lead for the entire game in the 130-124 loss.
Every starter for the Kings finished in double figures with Russell Westbrook finishing with the team high of 25. Denver’s Nikola Jokic had the game high of 34 points with 14 assists. Sacramento put up a good fight but was unable to contain Jokic and they were simply outplayed all night long. The Joker finished with 34 points and 14 rebounds. The Nuggets have now beat the Kings six straight times.
Monday night the Kings lost to the Nuggets finishing off a lengthy road trip and head back to Sacramento and their home court at Golden 1 Arena. After a great win over the Milwaukee Bucks Saturday night, the Kings were happy to get their first road trip in the books.
It has been grueling and has resulted in a string of losses for the Kings. Monday night the Kings faced another tough opponent as they faced Jokic, Aaron Gordon, Jamal Murray and company. Not a three-point shooting team the Kings they tried to force the long shots and they faced the task of containing Jokic it was not an easy assignment.
Game recap: After the first12 minutes of play the Denver Nuggets had a 39-30 lead. The Kings got a bit of a handle on the game in the second quarter. With 4 1/2 minutes left in the first half the Kings trailed by two points 54-52.
This ray of hope was extinguished by the Nuggets pushing their lead back out to 12, 68-56 with just under two minutes left to play. As the clock ran out, each team had scored 33 points in the second quarter and Denver had taken a 72-63 lead into the locker room. Sacramento had played hard and matched the Nuggets for much of the quarter but were unable climb over the top.
Jokic finished the first half with 18 points, three rebounds and six assists. Gordon had 15 points and five rebounds. The Denver bench had a cumulative 18 points. Three starters for Sacramento had double digits.
Russell Westbrook finished with the half high of 16 points and five rebounds. Domantas Sabonis was flirting with a double double hitting 11 points and rebounds. DeMar DeRozan had 15 points and three rebounds.
Zach LaVine had a quiet first half and the team would need more from him in the second half. Sacramento had seven turnovers in the half. From the field the two teams were shooting at 50% but the Nuggets were having more success from beyond the arc.
Sacramento while not a three-point shooting team had 32 points in the paint to the Nuggets 24. The Kings were certainly able to keep pace with the Nuggets for much of the first half but had not been able to take the lead.
The third quarter did not get off to a great start for the Kings. Three plus minutes into the third quarter the Nuggets had extended their lead to 84-69. Minutes later the Kings had cut the Nugget’s 15 point lead to ten 84-74.
The Kings were getting stops but not turning those stops into points. Every time Sacramento made a move, the Nuggets had the answer maintaining a double digit lead throughout the quarter.
The Kings had been unable to contain Jokic who finished the quarter having shot for 25 points with 11 assists. After three quarters every player for Sacramento was in double digits with Russell Westbrook leading the way with 20 points eight rebounds and five assists. The high-scoring Nuggets led after three quarters 104-93.
Several minutes into the fourth quarter the Kings had cut the Nugget lead to six points 108-102. The Sacramento starters came back into the game early in the fourth quarter looking to cut the Denver six-point lead even further.
There was a lot of time left in this game and Denver was forced to put their starters back in early as well. Sacramento was hanging around but could not make a dent in the score as Jokic continued to soar and there was no stopping him. Denver won their fourth game of the season.
The Kings put up a fight but really struggled with trying to contain Jokic. Every starter for the Kings finished with double digits. Westbrook had a double double and the team high with 26 points and 12 rebounds.
Sabonis also had a double double with 13 points and 16 rebounds. They both played hard all night. DeRozan finished with 19 points and Dennis Schroeder with 18. LaVine had 15 points and off the bench Keon Ellis had a nice game with 15 points.
The Kings will now head home to Golden 1 Arena and get ready for another tough matchup with Stephen Curry and the Golden State Warriors Wednesday night. Tipoff for that game is scheduled for 7:00 PM.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings DeMar DeRozan takes a shot against the Milwaukee Bucks Kyle Kuzma in the first half on Sat Nov 1, 2025 at Fiserv Arena in Milwaukee (AP News photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast Barbara Mason:
#1 With the Denver Nuggets having won their last five head-to-head matchups against Sacramento, what adjustments must the Kings make to turn the tide?
#2 How will Sacramento cope with key absences of Keegan Murray and Malik Monk, and can those gaps give Denver an edge?
#3 Given Denver’s potent offense but more modest defensive numbers, can Sacramento exploit their defense especially from three-point range to stay competitive?
#4 With the game taking place at Denver’s home venue, how much does home-court advantage matter in this pairing and how might it shift the dynamics?
#5 Which match-up or player duel could be decisive — for example, can Sacramento’s interior presence challenge the dominance of Nikola Jokić for Denver, or will Jokić control the game?
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Sacramento Kings Molik Monk (0) drives the lane with the Portland Trail Blazers Jerami Grant (9) in pursuit in NBA pre season action at the Moda Center in Portland on Sac Oct 11, 2025 (Sacramento Kings X photo)
Sacramento Kings podcast with Tony Harvey:
#1 What was the key turning point late in the game that allowed Portland to hold on and win by one point 124‑123?
#2 Which player(s) delivered clutch plays in the final minutes and how did they impact the outcome?
#3 How did the teams compare in rebounding and second‑chance opportunities, and how did that influence the result?
#4 What role did turnovers, fouls, or free throws play in such a tight contest?
#5 Next up for the Kings the Los Angeles Clippers at Golden One Center on Wednesday night. The Clippers play their first exhibition game on Sunday against the Denver Nuggets. Tony talk about the Clippers top scorers who will face the Kings on Wednesday James Harden — 22.8 PPG, Kawhi Leonard — 21.5 PPG, Ivica Zubac — 16.8 PPG, Derrick Jones Jr. — 10.1 PPG.
Whether you’re pre-gaming with the Kings or celebrating an A’s win, Cyprus Grille at the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena is your downtown go-to.
⚡Craft cocktails? Check. 🔥Game-day bites? Oh yeah. 🏟️Steps from Golden 1 Center? You bet.
Open daily, Cyprus Grille is serving up local flavor with a front-row seat to the action. Stop by before or after the game—or make it your new downtown hangout.
Cyprus Grille—where fans fuel up.
📍Located inside the Holiday Inn Sacramento Downtown – Arena @ 300 J Street
Happy Hour – 4pm-6pm
Show your ticket for additional discounts when dining in.
Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray (27) drives on the Oklahoma City Thunder guards Alex Caruso (9) and Lugentz Dort (5) during game 6 of the Western Conference semifinals at the Ball Center in Denver on Thu May 16, 2025 (AP News photo)
On the NBA Playoffs Western Conference semifinals podcast Michael Roberson:
#1 Denver Nuggets guard Jamal Murray who had an undisclosed illness said there was nothing that was going to have him sit this game 6 out. Murray ended up scoring 25 points as the Nuggets defeated the Oklahoma City Thunder 119-107 on Thursday night.
#2 Murray had been sick the previous 24 hours but who’d thunk when Murray had a four point play and shot a three pointer to get the fourth quarter started. It was a quarter that the Nuggets wound up edging the Thunder by five points 29-25.
#3 The Nuggets Nikola Jokic led with 29 point and 14 rebound and eight assists. Christian Braun scored 23 points which is a career best in a playoff game. Julian Strawther helped the Nuggets getting a playoff career high 15 points in the second half of the game.
#4 The Nuggets and Thunder conclude this seven game series Sunday in Oklahoma City on Sunday afternoon. It’s been a back and forth series with the Thunder winning games four and five and the Nuggets avoiding elimination in game six. How do you see this match up.
New York Knicks forward Mikal Bridges (25) blocks a pass from the Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (right) in the second half at TD Garden in Boston on Wed May 7, 2025 (AP News photo)
NBA Playoffs podcast Michael Roberson:
#1 The New York Knicks were down 20 points but big help from Mikal Bridges. For the second night in a row Bridges stole the ball for a game ending steal and the Knicks once again came away with a razor close 91-90 win to take a 2-0 series lead in the Eastern Conference semifinals.
#2 The Knicks Jalen Brunson scored 17 points and hit two free throws and did it all with just 12.7 second left in the game. Every basket counted in this game for the Knicks to pull this one off.
#3 Turning to the Oklahoma City Thunder Shai Gilgeous-Alexander erupted for 34 points in three quarter of work against the Denver Nuggets in a 149-106 landslide in game 2 of the Western Conference Finals tying the series at 1-1.
#4 The Thunder who scored 87 points in the first half set an NBA playoff record for the most points in a first half. The previous holder were the Cleveland Cavaliers who did it against the Golden State Warriors with 86 points in game 4 of the NBA Finals on June 9, 2017.
#5 Please tell us your predictions for the Nuggets and Thunder’s next game this Fri May 9 in Denver with this series tied up 1-1 and the Celtics at Knicks for game 3 this Sat May 10th at Madison Square Garden with the Knicks leading the series 2-0.
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